• Kriengsak
  • ranking : Honourary Member
  • email : kriengsak@kriengsak.com
  • created : 2007-07-27
  • entry : 58
  • visitors : 78951
  • votes : 290
  • send msg :
Constructive Thoughts for the Day
Constructive Thoughts for the Day
Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/kriengsak
Wednesday , April 23 , 2008
Bangkok, a World Heritage City
Posted by Kriengsak , Reader : 2481 , 14:04:11   | Category : Economy  
Print

 
              According to Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, his proposal to develop the old cities of Chiengsan, Naan, and Lumpoon to be World Heritage sites is good policy. To me, it is also a very interesting idea. Currently, only five places in Thailand are registered as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, (UNESCO), which are, Ayutthaya’s historical garden, Sukhothai, Ban Chiang, Thungyai Naresuan – the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, and Dong Phayayen – the Khao Yai Forest Complex. This is, however, far fewer in number than the many architectural, cultural, and national resource sites found altogether in Thailand.
 
              It can be noted from statistics of the World Tourism Organization that countries that are home to many World Heritage sites seem to be in the top ten tourist destinations (except for India). These countries welcome tourists from all over the world. For example, 41 World Heritage spots have been named in Italy, where the annual number of tourists is 37.1 million. Spain has 40 World Heritage locations, and the country welcomes 52.4 million tourists annually, and so on. For Thailand, (as Table 1 shows), five World Heritage sites have been named, and thus we welcome only 11.7 million tourists annually.
 
Table 1: Tourist statistics for ten countries having the most World Heritage sites 
 
Countries
World Heritage Sites
Tourists
Countries
World Heritage Sites
      Tourists
Ranking
No.
Ranking
Millions
Ranking
No.
Ranking
Millions
Italy
1
41
5
37.1
India
7
27
n.a.
3.5
Spain
2
40
2
52.4
Mexico
8
27
7
18.7
China
3
35
4
41.8
Russia
9
23
10
19.9
Germany
4
32
9
20.1
USA
10
20
3
46.1
France
5
31
1
75.1
Turkey
n.a.
n.a.
8
16.8
Great Britain
6
27
6
24.7
Thailand
n.a.
5
19
11.7
Note: Turkey is a country ranking eighth worldwide for tourist figures, though its number of World Heritage sites is not ranked within the top ten countries.
 
Source: UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization, (2005).
 
           Besides spots that the Minister of Tourism and Sport has tried to push for inclusion as World Heritage sites, there are many other temples and architectural sites that could be World Heritage locations, especially in the old city area, on Rattanakosin Island and in the surrounding area where there are many ancient historical places that would be worth naming as World Heritage areas. For example, such as Wat Benjamabopit, Wat Rachabophit, Wat Ratchanadaram, Wat Suthat, the Giant Swing, Golden Mountain, and other places.
 
              Thailand may earn more revenue from pushing these places as World Heritage sites. According to one academic analysis, statistics show that being named a World Heritage area could increase tourist income by about four times what it would usually earn. If this is true, then registering as a World Heritage would enhance Bangkok tourism to the tune of about 1.35 trillion a year; whereas currently it brings in an annual income of 336,621.89 million baht. Conversely, even if the tourist dollar does not rise, Bangkok’s enhanced World Heritage status would still bring other benefits to Thailand. Once any place is announced as a World Heritage site, not only does this indirectly advertise the site to tourists the world over, but the country will also gain an educational fund and UNESCO support as a means of World Heritage site maintenance.
 
              However, should the government intend to push for Bangkok’s inclusion as a World Heritage location, we must not focus only on the total spending of tourists, but we must ensure that each tourist spends more money. In addition, we must also be concerned for the fact that with an increase to the number of tourists, more problems will occur, for example, with increased city crowding, tourist attraction decadence, a lack of basic city infrastructure and facilities, with crime problems, and other problems.
 
              Thus, along with pushing Bangkok to be a World Heritage city, the government should also simultaneously develop businesses involved in World Heritage development. For example, businesses that sell souvenir products or that develop old city areas for high-end tourists with the provision of hotels and restaurants. Community culture should see a come back, as should old market life, and the re-creation of fun festivals or activities for tourists. We must also not forget to develop all transportation facilities, as well as providing tourist information, security services, tour guides, and whatever else may be needed for visitors.
 
              In addition, the government should create a campaign enabling people to cooperate in maintaining Thailand’s national pride where traditions are highly valued. We need to be serious about conserving Siamese architectural features, as well as improving Thai sightseeing as green and clean. We will need to cooperate with one another toward environmental maintenance in certain areas, including the restoration of old buildings and houses. We will probably need to place our city’s electrical wiring underground so as not to damage beautiful sightseeing effects. We will need to give a new splash of colour to city buildings, as well as changing city street signs, and modifying bus stop facilities, and public telephone boxes, with everything following the same theme to match the surrounding area.
 
              In my point of view, the authority concerned must at this time push Bangkok to be a World Heritage centre. Besides earning far greater financial benefits through government policy tourism, this collective development of tourism will also serve to conserve the cultural and traditional heritage of Bangkok, to be with Thai people forever.


Read comment

comment 6
Kriengsak date : 06/05/2008 time : 09.48
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/kriengsak

Thank you for all good comments.
comment 5
wch date : 25/04/2008 time : 10.22

Let me continue some more.

If count the culture heritage on this angel's city, it must be linked with the Chakri dynasty.

Chakris founded this city on the swampy bufallo den, as the seedbed of fledgling democracy, more badly surrounded by the communists nations.

Ever since, Bangkok roled as the front fortress to defend the free world against the vicious communist pressure.

Itself has been scratched through many military revolts but still it is the free people ghetto, conformity or non-conformity, many dreams flying in from their suppressed societies.

One thing unchanging is the will of the Chakri's.
UN came and applauded the King Phumipol's unchanging melody, the last warrior in this lonely garrison of free world.

Bangkok means it.
The real angel is him.

wch.
comment 4
wch date : 24/04/2008 time : 10.46

Dear Author,

I wonder if your proposal can conform to primary goal of UNESCO's,

" conserve sites of outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity".

The detail of Criteria is documented here,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage#Cultural_criteria

If faithfull to this principle, the Ayuttaya city is more conformitive than Bangkok.
Restoring such cosmopolitan culture of Ayuttayan 16-19 centuries, is more important than Bangkok's present international city picture of world's fun city.

To restore, the Japanese sector, Danish, Portugese, Moor, Hollanger, Malay, north Indian, Tamil, Hakkan, Han, Vietnam, and various merchant ships from all over the world, weapons, Ankorean court customes and ceremony, is the best way to call more tourist.

Compare between Roma and Florence !.
comment 3
Pomjuk date : 23/04/2008 time : 17.02
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/pomjuk

Most great churches in the west take hundred of years to build. There’s a church on Amsterdam Ave. NY that is still under construction after over 200 yrs. And the same as the Notre Dame Church in Paris. La Sagrada Familia designed by Antoni Gaudi, has been under construction for over 150 yrs and built by pennies of the poor no government funding involved. King Louis XIV spent one year of French National GDP to build his house The Palace of Versailles.

Most Buddhist temples in Thailand are made for the utilitarian purpose and with small budgets and with people with no art background. We do have nice places to see but you’d have to travel far to see it for example the Thai government spent $120 million fixing a Palace in Moscow because for the memorial King Rama V.
comment 2
GGrass date : 23/04/2008 time : 14.37
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/GGrass

Mr. Kriengsak: Thanks for such insightful blog. I had read it thoroughly three times now.

"Thailand may earn more revenue from pushing these places as World Heritage sites."

Right. More money. Always a good thing.

"However, should the government intend to push for Bangkok’s inclusion as a World Heritage location, we must not focus only on the total spending of tourists, but we must ensure that each tourist spends more money."

Again, right. More money. The more the merrier.

" In addition, we must also be concerned for the fact that with an increase to the number of tourists, more problems will occur, for example, with increased city crowding, tourist attraction decadence, a lack of basic city infrastructure and facilities, with crime problems, and other problems."

Amen! I couldn't have said it any better! All these problems you mentioned are caused by the tourists!

"...or that develop old city areas for high-end tourists with the provision of hotels ..."

Absolutely correct. We need to focus on the RICH tourists. Who cares about the young and the poor?

"We must also not forget to develop all transportation facilities, as well as providing tourist information, security services, tour guides, and whatever else may be needed for visitors."

Again, I praise your insight. The TOURISTS need public transportation and stuffs... who cares about the citizens who already live here?

I could continue, but since you have already written so perfectly, I have nothing to add or argue.

Again, absolutely brilliant!

(Geez.... where's my blood pressure pill...)
comment 1
Ian date : 23/04/2008 time : 14.30
http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/anterian36

Thailand has never been seen as a cultural tourist country, it is a country for cheap sex, scuba diving, and ripping off tourists with double pricing. Painting Bangkok won't get rid of the pollution and the touts. Have you any idea of the cost of taking all the spiderweb of telephone, cable tv and electrical wiring underground?
Thailand cannot compete with Ankhor wat, but it can compete in National parks and beaches and islands. This is where your money should go, not on a city like Bangkok which will sink beneath the sea in a few decades.

Believe it or not but after visiting one's 6th wat most tourists go glassy eyed.
Comment

  "If you are not member, please register to comment.
It take only a few steps."

  |  
name :  
email :  
website :  
comment :  
   
   

back top